During 2022, deliveries from Russia accounted for more than 12 percent of Spain’s total gas imports, totaling over 53,800 GWh. This made Russia the fourth largest supplier after the United States, Algeria and Nigeria. Government and energy industry officials describe the rise as temporary in nature. In some situations it fulfilled existing contracts that could not be renegotiated, while in others it reflected the rerouting of LNG cargoes originally destined for different markets. The trend emerged even as European factories faced disruptions that forced shipments to find alternative destinations.
Analysts and policymakers noted the European Union had not yet issued a coordinated veto on Russian gas, which left room for continued purchases while other supply arrangements were sought. Teresa Ribera, the Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, highlighted that as European nations secure supplies from diverse sources, consensus on curbing Russian gas purchases would become easier to achieve.
As the situation evolved, the discussion centered on reducing reliance on material from Russia, including energy inputs such as enriched uranium and coal. The aim expressed by key officials was to push imports from Russia toward zero. In the meantime, Russian gas continued to arrive at Spanish regasification facilities and was redirected for resale to other markets, underscoring the transitional and complex nature of the energy landscape.
Half of the gas originates from the United States and Algeria
Geopolitical tensions and the energy crisis reshaped the supplier landscape for Spain. Algeria had historically been the leading source of natural gas for the Spanish market, a position challenged in early 2022 by the United States following the closure of a major gas pipeline linking the two regions via Morocco and the Mediterranean.
Throughout 2022, the United States emerged as the largest gas supplier to Spain, accounting for about 28.8 percent of total imports. LNG imports arrived by ship reached 128,750 GWh, with volumes increasing by roughly 18 percent from the previous year.
Algeria ranked second, supplying about 23.8 percent of arrivals. The year also saw a notable reduction in Algerian volumes due to the operation of new pipelines that connected Spain more directly with its partners. In practice, more than half of Spain’s gas imports came from the United States and Algeria in 2022, while Nigeria remained a significant supplier, increasing purchases by around 13.9 percent.
These shifts reflect a broader pattern of diversification in Europe and the Mediterranean, with supply routes adapting to geopolitical pressures, infrastructure changes, and evolving market demands. Analysts stress that North American suppliers have gained greater access to European markets through LNG infrastructure and flexible contracting, while North African nations continue to play a crucial but fluctuating role in regional energy security.
Source attribution notes that these observations draw from annual energy trade data and policy analysis conducted by regional energy authorities and market observers for the year 2022.